“You're just a contract wife!” Harry Anderson's words cut deep. Trapped in a loveless marriage to save her family, Arabella fights for warmth from a scarred CEO who despises her. Can love bloom in a prison of pain?
View MoreThe civil registry office was quiet that morning, filled only with the sound of footsteps echoing against the cold marble floor and the occasional murmur of officials speaking in a formal tone. The air smelled of paper, ink, and aged wood, mixed with faint traces of perfume from those who had come to settle important matters of their lives.
The registrar, a middle-aged man with thick glasses, opened his official record book. He looked at the couple before him with a professional smile, seemingly oblivious to the tension between them.
“Mr. Harry and Miss Arabella, before we proceed, I will explain the steps we will take together. This ceremony is brief, but its meaning is profound,” he spoke calmly but firmly.
Arabella swallowed hard, her hands clasped tightly together. She stole a quick glance at Harry, who remained staring straight ahead, his jaw clenched.
“First, I will read the legal articles regarding marriage. It is important that you both understand your rights and responsibilities as husband and wife,” the registrar continued, shuffling through a stack of documents on the table.
Harry gave a slight nod, uninterested in saying much. Meanwhile, Arabella took a deep breath, trying to come to terms with the reality that, in just a few minutes, her life would change forever. She would become the wife of the man beside her. A man she barely knew.
“After that, I will ask you to recite your vows. This is not just a formality—it is a symbol of the commitment and responsibilities you will share,” the registrar explained before pausing, allowing them time to absorb his words.
Harry finally spoke, his voice deep and steady. “And after that?”
“Then, you will sign the official marriage documents, witnessed by the witnesses you have chosen. With your signatures, your marriage will be legally binding. Finally, I will validate your marriage and issue an official document as proof of your union.”
The registrar explained efficiently, his gaze shifting between Arabella and Harry.
Arabella felt like she was trapped in an unending nightmare. But she knew there was no turning back. Circumstances had led her here, and the only thing she could do was move forward. Escape was not an option.
The registrar closed his book momentarily. “Before we begin, do either of you have any questions?”
Silence. Neither of them spoke.
After a long pause, Arabella finally inhaled deeply and said, “No. Let’s begin.”
Harry gave a small nod. They had no choice but to go through with this.
The wedding ceremony proceeded. And just like that, Arabella and Harry were now legally husband and wife.
Once the documents were finalized, Harry took Arabella straight to his house.
Inside the car, Harry Anderson sat beside her in silence. He wore a black mask that concealed almost his entire face, leaving only his sharp, unreadable eyes visible. A truly mysterious man.
The drive to Harry’s mansion felt unbearably long. Arabella watched the raindrops trickling down the car window, her mind drifting back to the betrayal of her lover and half-sister. How foolish she had been to trust them. How foolish she was to be bound in a marriage she never wanted.
Harry remained quiet. He showed no interest in her, as if he was merely fulfilling an obligation.
A marriage like this? Arabella struggled to calm the storm of emotions within her.
“Get out.”
Harry’s cold voice snapped Arabella out of her thoughts.
They had arrived at his mansion. A wave of unease crept into Arabella’s heart.
She recalled the chain of events that had led her to this moment. How, in her lowest state, she had agreed to marry a man she didn’t know. How she had stood in front of a mirror just hours ago, wearing a simple dress with a shattered heart. How her wedding had taken place without the presence of her family.
Just a day ago, Arabella had been drowning in emotions after uncovering Mike and Helena’s betrayal.
“So this is what you’ve been doing behind my back?” Arabella’s voice trembled with a mix of rage and unbearable pain.
“Arabella, I can explain—” Mike stepped closer, but she took a step back, refusing to let him touch her. She would never allow a coward like him to lay a hand on her again.
“Explain what? That you cheated on me with my own sister?!” Her eyes blazed, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to breathe through the pain.
Helena stood frozen, her face pale. “Bella, I don’t know what to say.”
Arabella let out a bitter laugh. “Of course. Betrayers never have the right words to justify their sins.”
Mike ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “I never meant to hurt you, Bella.”
Arabella had gone to see Mike that day to talk about the arranged marriage her father had forced upon her. She had planned to confide in him, to seek his comfort.
Her father, Edwin, was drowning in financial troubles. The coffee business he managed was on the brink of collapse, and he was deep in debt to banks and loan sharks. Without her consent, he had arranged for her to marry a man named Harry Anderson—a ruthless, paralyzed millionaire who had agreed to clear his debts in exchange for her hand in marriage.
As if her father’s betrayal wasn’t enough, the man she had loved and trusted had also stabbed her in the back—with her own sister, no less.
And now, here she was. Standing in front of the massive mansion that would be her new home. Beside a man who didn’t even want her there.
“Stop standing there.”
Arabella snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Harry. He had already entered the house without waiting for her—his newly wedded wife.
She let out a quiet sigh, watching as his wheelchair rolled further inside.
Her steps were heavy, but she had no home to return to.
This mansion marked the beginning of her new life.
Whether it would bring her happiness or more suffering remained unknown.
There was a soft knock on the door.Arabella turned just as Harry walked in, holding a folder thick with documents. His expression was grim.“Bella,” he said quietly, “I just got word from my contact. Adam’s not backing down. He’s approaching one of your father’s trusted directors—Mr. Johan.”Arabella’s hands clenched. “He’s using an insider to infiltrate us?”Harry nodded. “I suspect he’s trying to take you down from the inside. Maybe through tampered financial reports or manipulated operational data.”Arabella stepped closer, locking eyes with him. “Are you sure?”“I am. And there’s more.” Harry opened the folder and revealed photos taken from surveillance—Adam was seen meeting someone in the parking lot of the corporate building. The man’s face wasn’t unfamiliar to Arabella.“Mr. Johan…” she whispered. “He helps compile our annual performance report.”“If he falsifies data, it could make the company appear as if it’s in financial trouble. That gives Adam grounds to claim shares, us
Adam stood casually by the side of the table, his body leaning slightly forward as if trying to assert dominance. Arabella sat across from him, arms folded over her chest, her gaze unyielding.“It’s been a while, Mrs. Harry Anderson. Last time we met… if I recall correctly, you nearly threw a glass in my face.”Arabella arched a brow, clearing her throat. “You should be grateful I’m still being professional today.”Adam grinned. “You’ve always been fun when you're angry. But let’s talk business.”He placed a thick-stamped folder onto the table and slid into the seat opposite her. With confident hands, he pushed the folder toward her.“This is the draft proposal I once discussed with your father, back when he was still active. I thought we could continue where he left off—even if he hasn’t fully recovered.”Arabella opened the document and began to read. Her face tightened, her brows drawn together in concentration. Adam watched her intently, eyes sharp, as if waiting for a crack in he
“Are you sure you don’t want to eat first?” Harry’s voice sounded worried as Arabella took off her shoes at the door. She had just returned from her father's house, and her face looked more exhausted than usual.“Not hungry,” Arabella replied briefly, placing her bag on the table. Her eyes were blank. There was a wound that hadn’t healed, and Harry could feel it.In his wheelchair, he followed her to the kitchen and handed her a cup of warm tea. “Lavender. They say it helps you relax.”Arabella accepted the cup but didn’t drink it right away. “I really don’t get it, Harry. They can still sleep peacefully in that house, as if nothing ever happened. When Dad almost died because of someone’s doing.”Harry sat across from her, his eyes observing Arabella as she started rubbing her temples. “Helena is still in denial?”“She even hugged Dad. As if she’s the most devoted daughter in the world. I’m sick of it.” Arabella placed the teacup on the table, her tone rising. “I’m sure she planned so
“We’re here, Dad.”Arabella’s voice was calm but distant as the driver parked the car in the driveway of Edwin’s house.Helena quickly got out of the back seat and opened the door for their father. “Come on, Dad. Take it slow.”Edwin gave a faint nod, his eyes sweeping across the yard he hadn’t seen in a long time since he was hospitalized. His body still looked frail, but a thin smile tugged at his lips.From behind the door, Luna—his second wife—rushed out to greet him. “Edwin… you’re finally home.”She hadn’t come to the hospital because she’d been busy cooking to welcome him back.Arabella pulled the wheelchair out of the trunk and wheeled it toward her father. “Please sit, Dad.” Her voice was flat. She didn’t even glance at Helena.Helena grabbed the small bag of medicine and said, “I’ll bring this inside.”Without responding, Arabella pushed the wheelchair into the house, her gaze fixed ahead. In the living room, silence hung in the air like held breath.“You don’t have to come
In the quiet corner of the mansion’s backyard garden—where lavender bloomed in thick, fragrant clusters and the breeze stirred the leaves with a lazy grace—two figures stood near an old tea table. Mr. Hans sat in silence, eyes trained on the steam rising from his porcelain teacup. Opposite him stood Jimmy, hands behind his back, his expression alert yet amiable.“So, how did she react?” Mr. Hans asked, not looking away from his tea.Jimmy inhaled slowly. “Just as you predicted, Sir. The potion had a strong effect on Lady Arabella. According to Dr. Tania… she kissed Master Harry. Multiple times.”Mr. Hans raised an eyebrow, a brief smirk twitching at the corners of his lips. “Good. Progress, at last.”“But,” Jimmy added cautiously, “Master Harry appeared… unaffected by Lady Arabella. He was too composed. Too aware.”Mr. Hans took a slow sip of his tea.“They’re both stubborn,” he muttered. “Even after all my preparations, they still act like two magnets turned the wrong way—refusing to
Harry’s body broke out in a cold sweat. His mind screamed to resist—but his heart... his heart was locked in a fierce argument with reason.Arabella’s kiss started hesitant, even trembling. But when Harry didn’t pull away—when he stood frozen, eyes half-closed—her confidence surged. Her tongue brushed his lips, seeking an answer.After all, Harry was a grown man with desires. Damn it. He couldn’t resist Arabella.He kissed her back—slowly, then more assuredly. His left hand rose to the back of her head, fingers slipping into the waves of her long, silky hair.What started as a gentle kiss quickly deepened. Their breaths tangled, racing against their pounding hearts.“Arabella...” Harry murmured between rushed breaths. He was losing control.“Hmm?” Arabella’s response was a half-dazed hum, drunk on sensation and emotion. She was truly savoring their intimacy.“I’m a grown man... and if you keep this up...” Harry held his breath, trying to stop the rising tide of emotion threatening his
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